Division II Conference Matches
#14 Iowa Central (12-1; 2-0) def. DMACC (4-5; 1-1), 3-0
Iowa Central went into Boone last night and took down DMACC, 3-0. Sophomore Amaya Finley and Kealey Anderson led the way for the Tritons with 11 and 10 points. Alesha Johnson assisted on 22 kills and also had nine digs while Anderson led the team in digs with 15.
It was the third straight time that the Tritons have beat the Bears, dating back to the 2017 Region XI-B Championship game. Iowa Central is now 12-1 on the season overall and have won 11 straight regular-season ICCAC matches, while DMACC dropped one-game below .500 with the loss.
The Tritons put their streak on the line next week against Hawkeye in Fort Dodge while DMACC heads for another tough early-season test against Kirkwood.
Northeast (6-5; 2-0) def. Southeastern (7-7; 1-1), 3-2
In the other battle of unbeatens, Northeast fended off Southeastern in five sets, 3-2. After dominating the first two sets, 25-15, and 25-12, Southeastern collected themselves in the fourth and fifth sets, winning 25-21 and 25-20. Despite the shift in momentum, Northeast regained control in the fifth set and held on to a 15-11 final set win.
The Hawks Elley Beaver had a career-high 19 kills and 23 digs. Megan Wehrbein tallied 14 kills, while Jamie Bonifas had a double-double with 32 assists and 15 digs. Josie Sanger added 34 digs.
For the Blackhawks, Rachel Bingham led all scorers with 26 points including 23 kills. She was helped by Rachel Malinowski who finished with 17 kills. Four players finished with 20 or more digs, Melodee Schulte (40), Kennedy Good (29), Malinowski (23) and Bingham (20). Jenna Shad had 40 assists.
Northeast hosts Ellsworth while Southeastern hosts Iowa Lakes in the next round of conference play.
Iowa Lakes (2-13; 1-1) def. Southwestern (2-11; 0-2), 3-0
Both in need of a victory last night, Iowa Lakes came out on top against Southwestern winning in straight sets, 3-0.
The Lakers were led by Ariel Bozonie and Lindsey Jensen, each finishing the match with seven kills. Faith Marroquin was the team leader in digs with 21 while Jada Barker had a match-high 25 assists.
Taylor Buxton had six kills, leading all Spartan hitters. She also had 10 digs. Yasmine Cribb led all players in the match with 23 digs and Breanna Ross had 19 assists.
Next week, Southwestern will host NIACC while Iowa Lakes will travel across the state to Southeastern.
NIACC (10-4; 1-1) def. Hawkeye (6-7; 1-1), 3-2
A week after dropping their first conference match 3-2, the NIACC Trojans turned the table on Hawkeye in Week 2, edging the RedTails in five sets. NIACC came out strong taking the first two sets on their home floor 25-14 and 25-22. Then, Hawkeye regrouped in the third and fourth (25-18, 25-23) sets to even the match 2-2.
Sophomore Kennedy Meister led the Trojans with 22 kills, 20 digs, and two blocks.
NIACC's Becca Steffen had 30 assists, seven kills, 11 digs, and four ace serves. Shelby Heston had seven kills, 11 digs and three ace serves and Kayla Lentz had 26 digs, a team-high in 2019.
On the other side of the net, Paige Eiffler and Jessica Hopkins were the scoring leaders for the RedTails. Each finished in double-figures in kills with 13 and 10. Haylee Keune was one dig shy of 40 on the night and Tanyon Schutjer led all players with 33 assists.
Hawkeye will be on the road against Iowa Central next week. NIACC will travel to Creston to face Southwestern.
#9 Kirkwood (11-4; 1-1) def. Ellsworth (0-8; 0-2)
Kirkwood made quick work of Ellsworth in a straight-set victory last night, 25-12, 25-5, 25-14.
Abbie Ericson led the Eagles with 11 kills. Aubrin Dittmer, Shauntina Williams, and Maggie Peters had five apiece.
Madi Wagaman notched 18 assists and Rachael Nelson added 12. Maranda Wheelock made eight digs and Richards had seven.
Next week, Kirkwood will host DMACC while Ellsworth heads to Northeast.